Thinking about turning your ranch property and your on-site ranch trout stream into a destination fishery for anglers willing to pay top dollar to fish uncrowded, private water? It’s definitely doable with some smart moves.
First things first, take a good hard look at what you’ve got. If you’ve got a legit stretch of private trout water on your ranch, you’re ahead of the curve. With some careful management and a consultation from a fisheries biologist or a proven fisheries manager, you could be hosting anglers within a season or two. With the right permits from your state’s fish and wildlife agency, you can even supplement the waters on your property with stocked trout, if that’s necessary to give your ranch trout stream a boost, or to offer variety. But, first, let’s consider some important factors.
Habitat matters for your ranch trout stream
In the West, wild and stocked trout depend on two vital things: cold, clean water and a readily available food source. If your ranch trout stream, river or pond is reliably cold and is home to a steady and healthy insect population, chances are, you already have trout on your property.
While cold water and a healthy insect population matter, so, too, does the overall habitat. Does your ranch trout stream have deep pools? Undercut banks? Lots of rocky or wood structure? If so, you’re in great shape. If, for some reason, the river or stream on your ranch has been straightened (doing so was a common practice decades ago due to the mistaken belief that this increased the delivery of irrigation water), you might consider a property survey to locate the stream’s original channel and see how much work it would take to return the natural bends and structure to the creek.
Finally, consider the vegetation around your ranch trout stream. Lack of native willows or cottonwood trees could cause the stream to get too warm in high summer to make the stream a marketable fishery. Planting willows to offer shade and cover is a great way to improve the fishy and help keep trout water habitable during the dog days.
What kind of operation do you envision for your ranch trout stream?
So you have a viable ranch trout stream and you think it might be worthwhile to lease or sell fishing access. Now what? Well, what’s your vision? Just a daily rod fee for visiting anglers? This is common across the West — some of the most coveted trout streams in the country are private ranch trout streams that boast quality habitat, trophy trout and exclusive access to those willing to pay a rod fee.
Other ranch property owners have a grander vision that includes lodging for visiting anglers, be it a cluster of rustic cabins available for nightly rentals or a premium fishing lodge with multiple rooms and great gathering areas. Still others throw in chef-prepared meals, high-end guiding and a complete “lodge” experience for visiting guests. As you might imagine, the latter is a very exclusive operation that both demands a significant investment and top dollar from visiting anglers.
Depending on your budget, the quality of the trout water you’re offering and the experience you wish to provide anglers on your private ranch trout stream, you have some decisions to make.
Know the rules and follow them
It’s not just a matter of building out a solid trout fishery and hanging out a shingle or building a website. In fact, it can be a complicated process. Check with your state’s fish and game department and understand the steps you’ll need to take to make your private fishing operation legal.
For instance, you may need habitat to alter the course of your ranch trout stream. You’ll also likely need permits to stock trout in your private water. Consider, too, the financial structure from which you’d like to operate your fishing venture. Should you form an LLC? A sole proprietorship? Or just fold the operation under your existing ranch’s corporate umbrella? Working with your financial advisor and your accountant would be important, right from the start. And, it’s always a good idea to consult your ranch broker. Chances are, they have experience with this. And can put you in touch with other ranch owners who are operating successful fishing operations.
Final word
Anglers, particularly fly fishers, are willing to spend top dollar for an excellent trout-fishing experience. If your ranch property is home to a solid ranch trout stream — or a trout pond, stream or private stretch of river with angling potential — considering a private fishing operation is worth the time to investigate. Doing so might provide your ranch property with another season form or revenue and help you diversify your operation. And that, of course, adds value to your ranch property in the long run.
